Hims Hard Mints are chewable erectile dysfunction (ED) medications sold through the Hims telehealth platform. They contain the same active ingredients found in traditional ED pills, but in a mint-flavored, chewable form that comes in a small, discreet tin. They require a prescription from a licensed provider, which Hims facilitates through an online consultation.
What’s Actually in Them
Hard Mints are compounded medications, meaning a pharmacy custom-mixes them rather than producing them on a standard manufacturing line. The active ingredients are the same drugs used in well-known ED medications: sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) and tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis). Some formulations contain one of these, while others combine both. The mints also contain vitamin B12.
Inactive ingredients include dextrose, sucralose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and flavorings. They taste like wintergreen or wintergreen-lemon. If you have significant sensitivity to sweeteners like sucralose or dextrose, that’s worth flagging to a provider before starting.
Compounded vs. FDA-Approved
This is an important distinction. When a Hard Mint contains a single active ingredient, that ingredient itself (sildenafil or tadalafil) is FDA-approved. The compounding process simply reformulates it into a chewable mint. However, formulations that combine two active ingredients have not been FDA-approved or regulated as a combination product. The individual drugs are well-studied on their own, but the specific combination in a single mint hasn’t gone through the same approval process. That doesn’t make it illegal, as compounded medications are a legitimate part of pharmacy practice, but it does mean less regulatory oversight compared to a standard generic pill.
How They Work
The active ingredients in Hard Mints belong to a class of drugs that work by relaxing blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the penis during arousal. They don’t cause an automatic erection; sexual stimulation is still required. Sildenafil typically works within 30 to 60 minutes and lasts four to six hours. Tadalafil works on a similar timeline but can remain effective for up to 36 hours, which is why it’s sometimes used as a daily low-dose option.
One potential advantage of a chewable or dissolvable format is faster absorption. A dissolving form of vardenafil (a related ED drug) has been shown to work faster than the swallowed tablet version. While Hard Mints aren’t identical to that product, the logic is similar: chewing and dissolving a medication in the mouth can allow some absorption through the lining of the mouth rather than waiting for the stomach to break down a pill. High-fat meals and alcohol slow down absorption of these drugs regardless of form, so taking them on a relatively empty stomach helps.
How to Get Them
Hard Mints are prescription-only. You can’t buy them over the counter. The Hims process works in three steps: you fill out an online questionnaire about your symptoms and health history, a licensed medical provider reviews it and decides whether the medication is appropriate for you, and if prescribed, the mints ship to your door in discreet packaging with free delivery. There’s no in-person visit required.
Hims also offers periodic check-ins with providers and unlimited messaging to adjust your treatment if needed. The dosage and specific formulation are tailored based on your consultation, so two people may receive different strengths or ingredient combinations.
Common Side Effects
Side effects mirror those of standard ED medications since the active ingredients are the same. The most common include headaches, facial flushing, upset stomach, nasal congestion, back pain, muscle pain, dizziness, and nausea. Some people experience temporary changes in vision, such as a blue-ish tint or increased light sensitivity. In rare cases, more serious vision changes can occur.
These side effects are typically mild and short-lived, especially as your body adjusts. They tend to be dose-dependent, meaning lower doses cause fewer problems.
Who Should Not Take Them
Hard Mints carry the same serious drug interactions as all ED medications in this class. You should not take them if you use nitrate medications for chest pain (such as nitroglycerin), recreational drugs known as “poppers” (amyl nitrate or butyl nitrate), or a medication called riociguat used for pulmonary hypertension. Combining any of these with sildenafil or tadalafil can cause a dangerous, potentially life-threatening drop in blood pressure.
Anyone with an allergy to sildenafil, tadalafil, or any of the inactive ingredients in the mints should also avoid them. People with uncontrolled diabetes or advanced vascular disease should discuss alternatives with a provider, as these conditions can affect both the safety and effectiveness of the medication.
Why People Choose the Mint Format
The appeal is mostly practical. A small tin of mints is far less conspicuous than a pill bottle, which matters to people who want privacy. The chewable format also eliminates the need for water, making them easier to take in the moment. And for people who dislike swallowing pills, a mint-flavored chewable is simply a more pleasant experience. The underlying medication is doing the same job it would in tablet form.